
 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit142
Windshield wiper blades142
Lamps and bulbs142
Changing a wheel149
Battery152
Fuses154
Microfilter155
 
In case of electrical 
malfunction:
 
Fuel filler door156
Sliding/Tilt sunroof156
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting157
Towing the vehicle158Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)162
Airbags163
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)163
Radio reception164
Safety belt tensioner164
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimming 
feature165
Rain sensor166
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)167
Self-diagnostics168
Xenon lamps169Engine data172
Dimensions173
Weights174
Capacities175
Electrical system176
Ribbed V-belt176 

67n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual 
mode:
>In order to prevent the engine from 
overrevving, the transmission shifts 
automatically to the next higher gear 
just before the RPM cutoff point.
>If you do not do anything to inter-
vene, it will automatically downshift 
at lower speeds.
>In kickdown, it will downshift into 
the lowest gear possible, depending 
on the engine speed.
>According to the situation, for in-
stance in wintry conditions, the 
vehicle can be started in 2nd or 
3rd gear.
Available displays 
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5460de138
Electronic transmission control 
module
If the indicator lamp comes on, 
there is a malfunction in the 
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P," set the parking 
brake and turn the engine off (ignition 
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the 
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a 
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may 
continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, 
you can place the selector lever in all 
positions. However, the vehicle will now 
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine 
loads and consult the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not work in the engine com-
partment when a drive gear (for-
ward or reverse) is engaged. If you do 
this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing, tow-starting or jump-start-
ing the vehicle, refer to the information 
beginning on page 157. 

105n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Clothes hooks:
When suspending clothing from the 
hooks, be sure that they will not ob-
struct the driver's vision. Do not hang 
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do 
so, such objects could pose the risk of 
personal injury during braking or eva-
sive maneuvers.
use with unleaded fuel only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be 
enough to permanently damage both 
the catalytic converter and the system 
oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine 
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled 
maintenance requirements.
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is 
empty.
>Tow-start only when the engine is 
cold. If you attempt to tow-start with 
a warm engine, unburned residual 
fuel in the catalytic converter could 
ignite and cause damage. It is better 
to jump-start the vehicle with outside 
assistance.
>Avoid other situations in which the 
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter 
frequently or for extended periods, or 
repeated start attempts in which the 
engine does not start (stopping and 
restarting an engine which is running 
properly does not present a problem). 
Never allow the engine to run with 
any of the spark plug cables discon-
nected.Be sure to comply with the in-
structions above to prevent un-
burned fuel from reaching the catalytic 
convertor. If you do not, the catalytic 
converter could respond by overheat-
ing, leading to serious damage.
Extreme temperatures occur at the cat-
alytic converter on this and every cata-
lyst-equipped vehicle. Heat shields are 
installed adjacent to some sections of 
the exhaust system. Never remove 
these shields; do not apply undercoat-
ing to their surfaces. When driving, 
standing at idle, and parking the vehi-
cle, take extra care to avoid contact be-
tween the exhaust system and flamma-
ble materials (grass, hay, leaves, etc.). 
Such contact could lead to a fire, re-
sulting in serious personal injury and 
property damage.

123n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment1 Brake fluid reservoir129
2 Engine oil dipstick125
3 Coolant expansion tank128
4 Engine oil filler neck125
5 Reservoir for the windshield and
 
headlamp washer system
*
124
6 Auxiliary terminal for jump 
starting157 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
141n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit142
Windshield wiper blades142
Lamps and bulbs142
Changing a wheel149
Battery152
Fuses154
Microfilter155
In case of electrical 
malfunction:
Fuel filler door156
Sliding/Tilt sunroof156
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
Jump-starting157
Towing the vehicle158
Repairs 

157n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Do not use spray starter fluids. 
If the battery is discharged, the engine 
can be started with the use of two 
jumper cables and the battery of an-
other vehicle. Use only jumper cables 
with fully insulated grips on the terminal 
clamps.
Do not touch the parts conducting 
electrical current while the engine 
is running. Failure to comply with this 
creates a risk of fatal injury.<
Carefully comply with the following in-
structions to avoid personal injury or 
damage to one or both vehicles:
1 Be sure that the battery on the sup-
port vehicle is also rated at 12 volts, 
and that the capacities of the two 
batteries (Ah) are roughly comparable 
(printed on casing).
2 Leave the discharged battery con-
nected to the vehicle's electrical sys-
tem.
3 Make sure that there is no contact 
between the bodywork of the two ve-
hicles Ð this creates a risk of short cir-
cuits.
4 Start by connecting the jumper cable 
from the positive terminal of the sup-
port vehicle to the positive terminal 
connector located in your BMW's en-
gine compartment. The cover of the 
positive terminal connector is marked 
with a "+" sign. Refer to the illustra-
tion. Remove by pulling the tab 
(arrow 1).
5 Then connect the negative terminals. 
Attach the cable to either the support 
vehicle's negative battery terminal (Ð), 
or to a suitable ground on its engine 
or bodywork. Then connect the other 
end of the cable to a ground on the 
engine or on the bodywork of the 
vehicle that is to be started. There is 
a special nut provided for this on the 
BMW (arrow 2).
Follow the same sequence for 
connecting the jumper cables 
when helping other vehicles. If you do 
not, there is the risk of injury if sparks 
are generated at the battery.<460de123
6 Start the engine of the support vehi-
cle and let it run.
7 Start the engine on the vehicle need-
ing the jump-start, and allow it to run 
as usual. If the first start attempt is 
not successful, wait a few minutes 
before another attempt in order to 
allow the discharged battery to re-
charge.
8 Before disconnecting the jumper ca-
bles from your BMW, turn on the rear 
window defroster and set the blower 
to the highest speed; allow the en-
gine to run approx. 10 seconds. This 
will prevent a voltage surge from the 
voltage regulator to the electrical ac-
cessories.
9 Then disconnect the jumper cables in 
reverse sequence.
Depending on the cause of the fault, 
recharge the battery.
Jump-starting 

Everything from A to ZGlove compartment lamp
bulb replacement148
Gross vehicle weight174HHandbrake63
Handsfree system95
Hazard warning flashers25
Hazard warning triangle25
Head restraint48
Headlamp covers, 
care132, 143
Headlamp flasher83
Headlamp washer 
system124, 175
Headlamp washers70
Heated seats91
Heavy loads99
Height173
HiFi system Ð harman 
kardon92
High beams23, 68, 83
bulb replacement143
Hood release120
Horn17
Hubcap150IIce warning76
Icy roads76
Identification, tires116Ignition key32
Ignition lock61
Indicator lamps20
Inflated pressure27, 113
Inflation pressure 
monitoring80, 167
INSPECTION74
Installing a child restraint 
system60
Instrument cluster18
Instrument lighting82
Instrument panel18
Interaxle tire rotation115
Interface socket96
for Onboard 
Diagnostics139
Interference
cellular phones112
Interior lamps36, 83
bulb replacement147
remote control36
Interior motion sensor42
Interior rearview mirror52
automatic dimming 
feature53, 165
Interlock61
Intermittent wipe68
JJack149
Jump-starting157
KKey Memory53
Keys32
with remote control32LLAMPS ON warning82
Lashing eyes99
Leather care136
Length173
License plate lamp
bulb replacement147
Light switch82
Light-alloy wheels118
Lighter96
Load-securing devices99
Louvers86
Low beam headlamps82
Low beams
bulb replacement143
Lug bolts150
Lug wrench149
Luggage compartment41
capacity174
floor mat41
floor panel41
remote control37
Luggage compartment 
lamps
bulb replacement148Luggage compartment 
lid39
emergency release39
securing separately39
Luggage compartment 
lighting39
Luggage rack100
Lumbar support49
MM+S tires117
Maintenance74, 131
Malfunction displays75
Manual transmission64
Manually controlled 
recirculated-air89
Memory50
MFL (Multifunction steering 
wheel)24
Microfilter90, 155
Mirror memory50
Mirrors52
Mobile phones112
Modifications, 
technical6, 138
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24NNeckrest48